May Joel Conner Clinic Report: Cleopatra
Lise A worked alongside Cleopatra in the May Joel Conner Clinic and has the following to say about her experience: “I had the good fortune to work with Cleo in the ground work portion of the most recent clinic in May with Joel Conner. I had only worked her a few times…
Ciara and Inula are Adopted!
We are jumping for joy to announce that Ciara and Inula have been adopted, together! These two came to us in 2023 as part of a 7 horse seizure out of Gig Harbor. During their time at SAFE, they both told us they would be better suited for the companion lifestyle:…
Trailer Practice with Mirana
Aside from the usual suspects of loading and unloading and taking short trips, one of the other ways we help get our horses accustomed to and comfortable with spending time in the trailer is by getting them reservations at Cafe Tie-In. The location is typically our…
Alumni Update: Oscar
Oscar is companion to Nic, a 17-year-old quarter horse. Vickie has had Nic since July 2024. She rides Nic western dressage style riding. Both Oscar and Nic obviously adore her (and vice versa). The two horses get along well, with Oscar being the “boss.” They live on a…
Alumni Update: George
Alumni volunteer Candi recently checked in with George and his adopters, Ana and Clint. Candi writes: George is living the good life! He is absolutely thriving in his forever home with Dr. Ana Kidder and her husband Clint! Whether he’s strolling the country lanes with…
Come Dance with Artie
Candi K on Artie S: “Looking for the perfect dance partner? What if he’s more than just smooth moves—what if he’s kind, willing, and eager to grow alongside you? Meet Artie Shaw, a true gentleman with a golden heart and a remarkable ability to connect with his rider.…
May Joel Conner Clinic Report: Sienna
Cameron B worked with Sienna in the May Joel Conner clinic, and wrote the following about the experience: “Working with Sienna during our second Joel Conner Groundwork Clinic was both rewarding and eye-opening. As a natural herd leader, Sienna brings a confident,…
Alumni Update: Breve
Breve is enjoying life on a beautiful, peaceful property and is well taken care of by Lola who has created an atmosphere of community around ponies and horses. Breve has now been started in saddle and is good with kids. The kids still have to be led by their parents…
Alumni Update: Skye
Corrine and Skye are doing fine. Skye enjoys relaxing in the pasture with her horse and pony pasture mates and one goat. Skye hates being in the barn shut in a stall but because the winter weather was so nasty at times, it was necessary. Most of the time she has…
Tulip Feeling her Oats
Down the road at her foster home, Tulip has been doing exceptionally well. This beautiful chestnut mare is a far cry from the thin horse seized by Animal Control earlier this year. She is looking appropriately round these days, and clearly feeling great! When she is…
Alumni Update: Zoe
Zoe continues to do well with her adoptive family. They enjoy going on trail rides together, with Erik being the only one to ride Zoe.
Alumni Update: Champagne
Champagne is a companion for a retired TB mare whom he shares a paddock with during the day. He is very happy with his mare and loves being by her side.
A Day in the Life with Zuri
7:45 AM — Rise and shine! I greet the day, and my neighbor Veronica. The weather has changed towards the drier, but sleeping outside is not my cup of sweet water — I much prefer to luxuriate in a plush stall. So you’ll find me inside in the mornings, waiting patiently…
A Lifetime of Safety Means Being There for Our Alumni—Always
Miss Pepper recently returned to SAFE after a routine alumni check revealed she was no longer being ridden regularly. She was living in a paddock with two other mares, receiving good care, consistent feeding, and companionship from both horses and humans. Overall, she…
Alumni Update: Kelly
We recently received an update on Kelly from Dr. Heather and Laura: Kelly came to Steven’s animal sanctuary in 2023, when she needed a retirement home. She was a SAFE favorite for her gentle spirit, but she was older and struggled with lameness and some hoof and skin…
May Joel Conner Clinic Report: Deja Vu
Meghan N worked alongside Deja Vu in the May Joel Conner groundwork Clinic, and has the following to say about her experience: “Over the past three days, Deja and I had the opportunity to learn and grow together during the Joel Conner Clinic. This mare is incredibly…
Is Alvaro the Next Lionel Messi?
Alvaro has been brushing up on his soccer skills since he learned the World Cup is coming to Seattle next year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQujeYRByuE&feature=youtu.be
Nadia: “More than just a horse…”
Nadia’s backstory as a rescue horse is harrowing, and it’s pretty fair to say that it’s lucky she made it to SAFE alive. She was part of a huge Animal Control seizure back in 2010 involving 18 equines and 55 canines, who were discovered living in filthy conditions. At…
Poppy in May
Casey A has been working and riding Poppy since her earliest days under saddle, and has helped her grow into a confident and level-headed partner. At the most recent Joe Conner clinic, Casey took her out for a little spin in the outdoor arena amongst the groundwork…
Why We Love Her: Tiva
Lily has been working with Tiva, and talks about one of the many reasons why she loves her — apart from her impeccable comedic timing, that is. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/duTqpJITVIQ
SAFE on Horses in the Morning Podcast
Bonnie got up early this morning to chat with our friends from the Horses in the Morning podcast about the Valentine Herd, including its newest member, Paloma! Have a listen here! The SAFE segment starts around the 13 minute mark.
Hi, Barbie!
It’s Barb(ie)‘s world, and we’re just living in it! This little mare is full of big personality. She is adventurous, spunky, and brave. Batteries not included — or needed, she’s powered by hay! …
Welcome to the World, Paloma!
On May 9th, just as the clock rolled over, at 12:31AM, Frida welcomed her filly, Paloma Isabel into the world. Her birth was fast and without complications. We were then waiting for the 1–2‑3 guidelines: standing within one hour, nursing within two, and the placenta…
Wednesday and Venturo at Foster
Wednesday is raising her colt out at foster, where the daily grind looks like this. Oh, to be a young horse with the zoomies!
Three Months with our Silver Rose
This big-hearted mare has become comfortable with grooming, vet visits, and farrier care. She loves coming into her stall each night for dinner. In addition to all-day turnout in her paddock, a few times a week she gets to let loose and play in the arena. She’s an…
Getting to Know Eda
We’re excited about this lovely mare! Eda was the last member of the Valentine Herd to join us at SAFE. During our first interactions, she was cautious — testing her safety around us, reacting jumpily to touch, and showing signs of anxiety when she felt confused or…
The Thrills of Foal Watch
FRIDA FOAL WATCH kicked into full gear on Sunday night when we noticed some signs that she might be getting close. Being the overachievers that we are, we began checking on Frida every hour and logging our observations. It’s now Wednesday afternoon and no baby…
Introducing Inky
We welcomed our newest herd member to SAFE last week, a miniature horse gelding named Inky. Inky came to us by way of Pierce County Animal Control, and had a whirlwind first few days following his arrival. By his third day here, he was already up to date on his vet…
Marvelous Mahina
“If Mahina’s personality is any indication of what the Saddlebred breed has to offer—call me a fan. She’s continued to grow into a soft, gentle, and kind soul. Her drive to connect with people and fellow horses is something truly unique and special. Being around her…
Esme in May
“Little Ese-may-may has really matured over the last few months. She’s developed a more settled and relaxed disposition and has been very well-behaved. We had some soundness concerns with her right front, but with good shoes and some rest, she’s now looking…
Getting to Know Frida
We’re taking it slow with our mama-to-be! Our goal is to build trust and support her in bringing her foal safely into the world. We’ve already made incredible progress from those first interactions with this sensitive, protective mare. When we first met Frida and…
A Very Special Trinket
What a delightful young mare Trinket has become over the past few months under SAFE’s care. Our little ugly duckling is beginning a beautiful transformation and will one day mature into a lovely palomino mare. It’s been refreshing to see how quickly she’s changed—and…
Jacob, King of Foster
At SAFE, Jacob had been training hard for the companion lifestyle, and we thought it was time for him to field test his skills at foster. As we suspected, he took right to it. It’s not always easy to find the best spots to nap or graze, but Jacob excels in this realm.…
Uncle Artie
Artie Shaw is worth his weight in gold. Actually, given that he’s not very large, let’s double that — triple, even, and that still might not be enough. While he has come quite a long ways under saddle and is going well as a solid little riding horse, you could argue…
Alumni Update: Whisky and Shortbread
On a recent visit to see Whisky and Shortbread volunteers noted that they look like cute little puffballs with their winter coats. Shedding has begun and Sherry brushes out loads of hair every day. They share the property with several domestic rabbits that were left…
Ready to get to Work, Mateo
In true SAFE fashion, Mateo’s gelding turned into quite the adventure! This well-endowed boy had close to the largest testicles Dr. Lewis has ever removed for us. Because of their impressive size, Mateo experienced some swelling of the fascial scrotal tissue —…
A Maturing Theo
Shoes have literally made all the difference! As a young gelding, Theo was all kinds of awkward in 2024. When he came to SAFE, he was extremely high in his hindquarters and very turned out in his front legs. As he matured, his withers finally caught up to his hind,…
Spring Open House and Tack Sale
Come out to the barn this Saturday, April 26th, from 12 — 3 for our first Open House and Tack Sale of 2025! Meet the horses, enjoy complimentary refreshments, find that new saddle blanket you’ve always wanted — all while supporting the work we do here at SAFE. Hope to…
March Joel Conner Clinic Report: Cleopatra
Kirsten AL worked with Cleo in the March Joel Conner Clinic, and has the following to say about her experience: “Cleopatra continues to be one of the sweetest mares to work with! It is when she is at peace and focused on you when you know you have gotten somewhere.…
March Joel Conner Clinic Report: Harissa
Lexee N on working with Harissa: “Well this mare continues to impress me and many others. The first Joel Conner clinic we have made it to a huge stepping stone of saddling Harissa for the first time in her life. Not often do we know a horse’s history of their past…
Reflections on Veronica
Terry’s recent reflections on Veronica: “Veronica’s playful nature has really started to emerge over the past year as she’s gained confidence in her environment, her handlers, and herself. She’s got a funny side—opinionated, but still respectful. Over the last few…
Happy National Volunteer Week!
It’s National Volunteer Week! We’re kicking things off with a special video celebrating the incredible work our amazing community of volunteers accomplish each day. From mucking stalls to mending hearts, your dedication makes a world of difference for our horses. From…
Alumni Update: Bramble (Ranger)
We recently checked in with Bramble (now Ranger) and his adopter Jocelyn. Jocelyn and Ranger did some cutting clinics last summer. He really loved it and really took to it. Jocelyn said it was amazing seeing him cut out the cow from the herd as if he was born to do…
Alumni Update: Ben
Ben is looking good and enjoying life with Lisa. He loves to roll in the sand and romp with his buddy Ebony.
Why We Love Her: Poppy
Casey has been working with Poppy for quite a while, and has the following to say about little Poppy:
Riding Ranger
Lexee N has been working Ranger, preparing him for saddling and his first rides. Here’s what she has to say: “Ranger is an older guy with still a lot of life to give. When I first started to work him, he was stuck straight and walking himself lame with his imbalance.…
Alumni Update: Dottie
SAFE Alumni volunteers recently paid a visit to Dottie and her adopter Karmin. Dottie is looking great, she’s at a good weight and was friendly when we visited, asking for lots of scratches and moved so we could reach all the areas that had an itch. She doesn’t lie…
March Joel Conner Clinic Report: Ranger
Carrie S brought Ranger into the groundwork portion of the March Joel Conner clinic, and had this to say about the experience: “What a fun way to start the clinic season! Ranger participated in his very first Joel Conner clinic in March 2025. It was a big week for…
March Joel Conner Clinic Report: Brownie
“Man, Brownie is gonna be a cool horse for someone. In a short time, Brownie has been making strides from an anxious and pushy horse to a more confident and balanced horse. He’s learning how to get his feet under him and understand what people are asking of him. It…
One Week of Eda
Eda was the last of the Valentine Herd to arrive at SAFE from her foster location. Some of her first week has been documented here, and gives a bit of insight into what most horses’ initial homecomings to SAFE look like. Welcome to the herd, Eda!
